Dealing with People, Part 2-Simple

Many time, when the bible is talking about a simple person, it is talking about someone in their youth.  But as youth turn to adulthood they reach a crossroads where they will either choose folly or wisdom.  Unfortunately, many of us still have to deal with, work with, and/or associate with those that chose folly over wisdom.  Hopefully, today's blog will help you when dealing with them.

First, let's understand the simple person.  The bible says the simple love their simple ways (Prov 1:22) they really aren't interested in change.  Simple people can't see when they are at fault or wrong because the bible says that "the waywardness of the simple will kill them" (Prov 1:32).  If they could see that their actions would lead to death, they would surely stop.  The same goes for their actions that lead to strife, they generally don't have a clue they did anything wrong.  A simple person believes anything (Prov 14:15) and they inherit folly (Prob 14:18).  a Simple person doesn't see danger, they just "keep going" (Prov 27:12).  They are easily persuaded by evil (Prov 7).

A simple person is generally not the leader of the bandwagon but you can be assured that they are right there in the middle of an argument.  When we hear the term simple, we think of someone that is stupid, but that isn't the case.  A simple person is simply someone who lacks wisdom AND has yet to seek it.  That's why they believe anything, much like a small child.  But also like a child, they can learn and correct their ways.  A simple person learns and is corrected by example (Prov 19:25, 21:11) but they have to be shown the example because they don't necessarily pick up on it on their own.  As a simple person grows in the word they begin to put off their simple ways (1 Cor 13:11).

So once you see that you are in a confrontation with a simple person (and my guess is that they won't be alone) you simply need to offer loving correction.  Psalm 19:7 says "The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure , making wise the simple."

Of the three negative personalities discussed in Proverbs, the simple person is the easiest to deal with and the easiest to correct.  Now remember, this all assumes that in this discussion or confrontation that you are right. 

Before you begin to assess the type of person that you are dealing with, you need to assess your own life and the situation you are in (Matt 7:3).  After you do that, you will be able to help your neighbor.

God loves you and I do too!